Cummins Plays Through Pain

Illawarra Mercury

Wednesday May 4, 2005

By PAUL ZALUNARDO

WOLLONGONG Wolves defender Danial Cummins said it was going to take much more than a "knock on the head" to force him from the field during Saturday's 2-1 win over Manly United at Cromer Park.

Cummins spent more than two minutes unable to get up off the ground after being hit behind the ear by a stray elbow by Manly's Danial Lock during the latter stages of Wollongong's gutsy win.

After being attended to by Wolves trainer Terry Stewart, Cummins managed to convince everyone that he was fit go on.

"After what has happened to me earlier this season there was no way I was going to let a knock on the head end my night," Cummins said.

"At first I tried to get up but couldn't, then I was sitting with Terry (Stewart) holding me up so I tried to get up again and couldn't.

"But when they started talking about subbing me I made sure I got up, I had to convince everyone I was fine."

Cummins has only just returned to top form after missing two months with a broken bone in his foot earlier in the season.

The versatile right-footer yesterday said his jaw was still giving him some discomfort.

"I copped the elbow just behind my left ear but it hurt my jaw," he said.

"I couldn't eat solid food until today.

"I missed training last night (Monday) but I will be right to play on the weekend."

On Sunday, Wollongong will take on a Marconi side that has slipped from top spot in the NSW Premier League's secondary Challenger Group to within sight of relegation in just two weeks.

Losses to Manly and Belconnen's Blue Devils has one of the traditional giants of Australian football teetering on the edge of disaster.

Cummins said the prospect of relegation ensured that Marconi would be ready to roll come Sunday.

Wolves coach Adrian Alston will be forced to reshuffle his team this week due to the absence of right-back George Souris.

Striker Paul Harries may come back into the side with Adam Hughes reverting to a deeper role in midfield and David Kerr moving into Souris' spot.

Harries played just a few minutes of Saturday's match after arriving back from a two-week trial in China less than 24 hours before the game.

© 2005 Illawarra Mercury

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